Editing Dry fire

'''[[Dry firing]]''' is the practice of "firing" a [[firearm]] without [[ammunition]].  That is, to pull the [[trigger]] and allow the [[Hammer|hammer]] or [[Firing pin|striker]] to drop on an empty [[chamber]].

This technique is often used to simulate actual firing when there is not a suitable place to practice with live ammunition.  The primary benefit of this practice is refined trigger control.  For most common [[cartridges]], there are [[snap cap]]s available to reduce the risk of damaging the [[firing pin]].  It is generally acceptable to dry fire more modern [[centerfire]] firearms without a cartridge or snap cap.  However, dry firing a [[shotgun]] or [[rimfire]] firearm can damage the firing pin.  Furthermore, damage can occur to the [[chamber]] mouth of a rimfire firearm.

Dry firing may also refer to the firing of a bow or other weapon without ammunition. Dry firing a compound bow may cause the cracking of the limbs of the bow, or may completely knock the string off causing possible injury to the shooter, or it may do nothing at all depending on the draw weight, cam type, and bow type.

==References==
* Rush, Robert S (2006). [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=UB5i40J-AK4C&pg=PA107&dq=%22Dry+firing%22&hl=en&ei=0qDkS8D8MYHl-QbbkcjDBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDsQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=%22Dry%20firing%22&f=false "Training in operational assignments"]. ''NCO Guide (8th revised ed.)''. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. p. 107. ISBN 978-0811732734.

==See also==
* [[Hang fire]]

[[Category:Firearm terminology]]